A fully coupled advanced formulation for heat, liquid and gas transfer in unsaturated deforming soils is presented. Balance equations are rooted in the theory of mixtures. A double porosity model, which is believed to be especially relevant when simulating expansive soils, is proposed to characterize the water transfer mechanism. Another relevant feature of the fra- mework developed, is the incorporation of a consistent elastoplastic model to describe stress± strain relationships in unsaturated soils. A ¯exible FE computer program was developed, including an array of alternative numerical strategies and constitutive equations to enhance its capabilities. The experimental results of a hydration and heating experiment performed on con®ned expansive bentonite were satisfactorily compared with model simulations.

Peer Reviewed